The Soyuz-TMA capsule docked with the International Space Station (Image: NASA)

The Progress cargo spacecraft (Image: NASA)

The International Space Station, with Soyuz-TMA capsules visible (Image: NASA)

The International Space Station (Image: NASA)

Return of three crew members from the ISS to the landing zone in Kazakhstan, September 16, 2011 (Image: NASA)

Soyuz launch vehicle on the pad (Image: NASA)

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Article Summary

It's a challenging time for the International Space Station (ISS). The single most expensive engineering project in human history and one of the most complex pieces of machinery ever assembled, the future of the ISS remains uncertain after the ending of the Space Shuttle program and the grounding of Russia's Soyuz fleet following an accident last month. While the recently announced resumption of manned Soyuz flights means the danger of the station being evacuated and mothballed has receded ... it hasn’t ended.